Clynelish Distillers Edition (2006/2021 Cl-Br: 178-10)

Blair Athol Distillery, Thursday, April 25th 2024. Whisky #3 Nose: Fruity (apple, orange), beeswax, newly-cut hay, daffodils, a little cinnamon and a background brininess that becomes more apparent over time. Palate: The palate is reminiscent of the standard 14 year old but drier and more waxy. Weak coffee, a little dark chocolate, cinnamon, ginger and mild smoke but as it lies on the palate it gains a maritime, honeyed sweetness. The texture is chewy and full of beeswax. Finish: Medium. Lingering, tingling waxy sweetness on the finish with a dash of salty spice. I’ve always enjoyed these annual Clynelish expressions as the influence of dry, spicy oloroso seco casks is particularly well suited to the distillery character. Every year they stand out for me as one of the best of the Diageo-mandated Distillers Editions, along with the Caol Ila bottlings. The profile of this is similar to that of the core 14 year old, but it has an interesting complexity that combines both a more rounded, mellow and sweet character along with just enough dry white fruits and resinous waxiness. As a matter of fact, I've thought for a while now that the standard bourbon-matured Clynelish 14 year old has not been as good as it once was, while the Distillers Edition has improved. “Good” : 84/100 (3.75 stars)